Guides
Written by the site’s editors, who are practising acousticians, for people choosing, specifying or maintaining professional noise instruments. Each guide explains the decisions, links to the relevant standard and to example instruments from the database, and ends with the questions we are most often asked. Brands are named only as examples, in a rotating order. Published 2026.
- How to choose a sound level meterClass 1 vs class 2, integrating vs non-integrating, parameters by application, options and licences, calibration.Handheld sound level meters
- Class 1 vs class 2 sound level metersIEC 61672-1 tolerances, what the classes do and do not say, and where each is typically required.Handheld sound level meters · Noise monitoring stations
- How to choose a noise dosimeterIEC 61252, exchange rates, criterion levels, badge vs cable, intrinsic safety, logging and audio.Noise dosimeters
- How to specify a noise monitoring stationAutonomy, comms, weatherproofing, outdoor microphone kits, remote calibration checks, cloud platforms, data ownership.Noise monitoring stations
- Sound level meter calibration and verificationField calibration vs laboratory calibration, IEC 61672-3, ISO 17025, intervals, reading a certificate.Handheld sound level meters · Noise dosimeters · Noise monitoring stations
- Understanding sound level meter specificationsReading a datasheet: ranges, noise floor, weightings, filters, FFT, logging, and what is omitted.Handheld sound level meters · Noise dosimeters · Noise monitoring stations
Reference
Standards explained
- IEC 61672-1 · The sound level meter specification standard: classes, weightings, Leq, peak, group X and Z.
- IEC 61260-1 · The filter standard behind 1/1 and 1/3 octave analysis: classes, band designations, conforming instruments.
- IEC 61252 · The dosimeter standard: Pa²h and LEX, tolerances, how it relates to IEC 61672 and ANSI S1.25.
- IEC 60268-16 (STIPA) · Speech transmission index and the STIPA method, editions, and instruments that offer the option.
- ISO 1996 · Environmental noise description and measurement: descriptors, adjustments, uncertainty, tonality.
- Pattern approval · Type approval by PTB, LNE, NMi, METAS and others: what it is, what it is not, who needs it.
Glossary
Short definitions of the terms used on datasheets and in this site, from LAeq and LCpeak to pattern approval and IP ratings.
Open the glossary